....protection of intellectual property rights can also be a catalyst in promoting more development in different sectors of our economy, says Vice-President Meriton at the opening of the first World Intellectual Property Day Fair.
April 27, 2018
Friday 27th April 2018;The first World Intellectual Property Day Fair saw the participation of a dozen national stakeholders involved in Intellectual Property in the country. Participants were showcasing different locally made products such as glass art, souvenirs and traditional dresses, fresh fruit juice to name but a few.
The one-day fair which took place at the ICCS Car park from 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m, was being held under the theme ‘Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity’.
It is aimed at sensitising the public and private sector on Intellectual Property, and where local entrepreneurs will showcase their creative and innovative works. In this sense, much emphasis is being put on the different rights pertaining to IP; where the general public as well as entrepreneurs will be more aware of the various rights and risks associated with infringing these rights and/or not protecting their intellectual property.
In his opening address, Vice-President Vincent Meriton pointed out that Intellectual property needs to be brought to the attention of the public. Vice President Meriton highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of people’s creation and innovation.” It is a known fact that when people are confident that their work, ideas and inventions are being protected they would be encouraged to become even more creative; says Mr Meriton.
On her part, Ms. Rudy Rose, Senior Trade Officer in the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning, says that there is a need to educate and sensitise the population on Intellectual Property and encourages those involved to come forward and educate themselves on IP.
Something which was validated by Vice President Meriton, when he was opening the fair. He said that since last year, the Government has discussed ways and means to be more proactive in ensuring that policies and awareness programmes are developed to enable the public and businesses in Seychelles to take full advantage of their intellectual property rights.
Mr. Meriton also spoke about the National Intellectual Property Committee, which is comprised of governmental, non-governmental and private sector stakeholders. The Committee falls under the purview of the Trade Division, headed by the Principal Secretary for Trade, Cilia Mangroo.
The aim of the Committee is to coordinate discussions on intellectual property matters, including implementation, technical and legislative reviews.
This Committee also establishes national positions taking into consideration the international conventions relating to intellectual property which the country is party to or envisages to be party to.
Also along the same line, a centralised Intellectual Property Office is expected to be fully operational by June this year, and it will be based at the Registrar General’s Office which is currently responsible for the registration of all industrial property rights. This will serve as a one-stop shop for all registration of intellectual property rights.
The establishment of the Office was approved in February this year by the Cabinet of Ministers.
The one-day fair organised yesterday is a joint initiative of the Trade Division of the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning, and CINEA in collaboration with other local partners, namely, the Office of the Registrar General, National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation, Department of Culture, Small Enterprise Promotion Agency, Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Seychelles Bureau of Standards, and the Seychelles Author and Composer Society.